Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Neighbors and business partners

In researching the connection between the Place and Duryea families, I am reminded of two things to always pay attention to: the business partners and the neighbors.

My current theory is that John Place was a brother of Lydia Place. In poking around in documents I already have, John now jumps out as a business partner of Stephen C Duryea in the grocery business. They are mentioned in a deed in 1836, taking over the lease of 309 Spring Street in New York City from John H. Duryea, deceased.

New York City deed book 362, page 294

John Place is found in New York City in the 1850 census- on the same page as George W. Duryea (brother of Stephen and John) and Fannie Brewer (their sister).

1850 United States Federal Census, New York Ward 8, New York, New York; roll M432_542, page 241B, lines 19-22.

The more names that you acquire, the harder it becomes to organize everything and realize the links. I recommend typing out transcriptions of documents, at least of the names, so that you can easily find the names on a search function of your files.